St. Charles Herald-Guide High School Playmakers

Where’s the ball? Oh, Chris Richard’s got it

Two weeks ago in the Wildcat's regular season finale, the senior racked up seven tackles and recovered a fumble, returning it 50 yards for a score to give his team a 7-0 lead over Dutchtown.

Then, with only 1:37 remaining on the clock and Dutchtown running back Eddie Lacy rumbling past midfield, Richard recorded yet another fumble, this one securing his team's 9-7 win.

With the win, Destrehan finished the year undefeated for only the second time in school history, won the 6-5A crown and received the No. 1 seed in the 2007 state playoffs.

Because of that, the Wildcats were able to capitalize last week by winning their first round contest with West Jefferson, which set the stage for a round two re-match with Carencro.

"Chris had a great game," Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux said. "He came through with a big defensive stand."

Richard has been one of the stars of the Wildcats' defense this season and that defense has come up big several times throughout the year. Robicheaux says that Richard's attitude is just one of the many reasons that the defense has had so much success.

"His attitude is great and he brings a lot to the table," Robicheaux said. "The way he played hard really paid off for us. He's a player that is hard-nosed and brings it every game."

Richard has been a starter for the Wildcats for the last two years and has switched from inside linebacker to outside linebacker this season.

"Chris is a great athlete," Robicheaux said.

"He is a state long jumper; he used to be a basketball player, so he gets it done. When he finishes here, he will play in college no doubt."

- Jonathan Menard, Editor

Prince shines in last game of the season

In the last regular season game of the year, Hahnville's Blake Prince had quite a night.

The hard-hitting senior safety had seven tackles and two interceptions to help his team rout St. Amant by a 50-20 score.

That win gave the Tigers a first-round home playoff game, which they won in equally impressive fashion by knocking out Huntington 56-8.

"I think what happened was St. Amant's defense just allowed us to score a lot of points," Prince said.

"I think the only thing we could really have done better is to not have had so many penalties."

Prince has been playing varsity football since his sophomore year and he says Hahnville head coach Lou Valdin keeps him motivated.

He says the coaching of the entire staff has been great all season long and is the main reason why his team is in a position to win the 2007 state title.

And while the coaching has been impressive, Prince also credits the support of the Tiger faithful.

"I love hearing people yelling my name, especially during the St. Amant game when I made those interceptions," Prince said. "I think football can never have enough fans."

An all-district team member last season, Prince also gets the chance to be a fan when he watches the New Orleans Saints, who are his favorite team.

Prince hopes to join them one day, but would first like to play college football for either the University of Lafayette-Louisiana, Monroe, McNeese, South Eastern, or Southern Illinois. He also plans to study business while in school.

"I have been playing football for about 10 years and I don't plan on stopping soon," Prince said.

"The fact that I can get an education while knocking people down sounds pretty good to me."

But while Prince looks forward to the future, he is happy residing in the present.

"The game against St. Amant was especially one to remember because of Senior Salute," he said.